Agni Purana — Vastu-Pratishtha & Isana-kalpa, Shloka 3
Chapter 76 — चण्डपूजाकथनम्
Narration of the Worship of Caṇḍa/Caṇḍeśa
ततः पूर्ववदभ्यर्च्य स्तुत्वा स्तोत्रैः प्रणम्य च अर्घ्यं पराङ्मुखं दत्वा क्षमस्वेत्यभिधाय च
tataḥ pūrvavadabhyarcya stutvā stotraiḥ praṇamya ca arghyaṃ parāṅmukhaṃ datvā kṣamasvetyabhidhāya ca
പിന്നീട് മുൻപുപോലെ ആരാധിച്ച്, സ്തോത്രങ്ങളാൽ സ്തുതിച്ച്, നമസ്കരിച്ച്; മുഖം തിരിച്ച് അർഘ്യം അർപ്പിച്ച് “ക്ഷമസ്വ” (ക്ഷമിക്കണമേ) എന്നു പറയണം।
Lord Agni (narrating ritual procedure to Sage Vasiṣṭha)
Vidya Category: {"primary_vidya":"Puja-vidhi","secondary_vidya":"Stotra","practical_application":"Concluding/atoning step: after worship and hymns, offer arghya while facing away (parāṅmukha) and verbally request forgiveness—used to neutralize inadvertent ritual faults.","sutra_style":true}
Encyclopedic Reference: {"reference_type":"Procedure","entry_title":"Parāṅmukha-arghya and Kṣamā-prārthanā (Forgiveness request)","lookup_keywords":["parangmukha arghya","kshamasva","stotra","pranama","puja closure"],"quick_summary":"After pūjā and stotra, give arghya while turning the face away and say ‘kṣamasva’; this functions as a ritual apology and closure to cover omissions and errors."}
Concept: Ritual humility: even after correct procedure, one acknowledges human limitation and seeks divine forgiveness; etiquette (turning away) marks respectful disengagement.
Application: End worship with kṣamā-prārthanā to address procedural lapses (mantra, mudrā, dravya, timing) and to conclude the rite without residual anxiety.
Khanda Section: Puja-vidhi (Ritual Worship Procedures)
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"After completing worship and hymns, the devotee bows, then slightly turns the face away while offering arghya, hands lowered in humility, uttering ‘kṣamasva’ as a closing apology.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural: devotee in añjali and pranāma before the deity; then a second pose turned slightly away offering water; subdued palette emphasizing humility and closure.","tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore: deity radiant with gold; devotee kneeling, then turned aside offering arghya; gold embossing highlights the sanctity while the devotee’s posture conveys contrition.","mysore_prompt":"Mysore: sequential frames—(1) archana, (2) stotra recitation, (3) pranāma, (4) parāṅmukha arghya with ‘kṣamasva’; clear instructional composition.","mughal_miniature_prompt":"Mughal miniature: refined interior shrine scene; devotee bows and turns slightly away to offer water; delicate facial expression of humility; fine detailing of vessels and textiles."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"devotional","suggested_raga":"Bhairavi","pace":"slow","voice_tone":"contemplative"}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: पूर्ववदभ्यर्च्य = पूर्ववत् + अभ्यर्च्य. क्षमस्वेत्यभिधाय = क्षमस्व + इति + अभिधाय.
Related Themes: Agni Purana: pūjā-doṣa and prāyaścitta/closure prayers (where present); Agni Purana: stotra sections used within pūjā-krama
FAQs
It teaches the proper concluding sequence of worship: repeat the earlier upacāras, recite stotras, bow, then offer arghya with the face averted and explicitly request forgiveness (kṣamā-yācanā).
By preserving precise liturgical micro-instructions (how to physically orient oneself, what to offer, and what to say), it functions like a ritual manual embedded within a Purāṇic compendium of many disciplines.
The forgiveness request (kṣamasva) is an atonement step meant to neutralize inadvertent mistakes in mantra, posture, purity, or procedure, thereby safeguarding the intended merit (puṇya) of the worship.